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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: Ramieli Academy's Entrance Ceremony (1)
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* * *
On the way to Ramieli Academy.
Zeke and Serena dismissed all the servants who wanted to accompany them and walked side by side, just the two of them.
Serena had specifically chosen a residence not in the noble district, but one close to the academy, so it was well within walking distance.
Apparently still uncomfortable around Zeke, Serena no longer looked at him directly.
Well, she did look, but she kept sneaking glances out of the corner of her eye, which was distracting.
However, Zeke, who had his own transgressions to account for, didn't comment on it.
Usually, it was Serena who would strike up a conversation at times like these, but since she wasn't saying a word, an awkward silence flowed between them.
*She's that uncomfortable… Then she should have just let the servants come! They really wanted to come, too!*
Zeke thought, hiding his own discomfort.
Carriages were lined up around them, inching forward, and groups of what appeared to be students were chattering amongst themselves.
It dawned on Zeke anew that he was truly heading to Ramieli Academy.
A feeling of tension naturally set in.
The romance fantasy was finally beginning in earnest.
As the title was [The Secret Girl of Ramieli Academy], the main stage of the story would be this very academy.
Countless characters would appear, and innumerable events would unfold.
*Right, I have to ride our secret girl's coattails back to Earth.*
Zeke resolved in his heart.
*Is she a good driver, I wonder? There's a hardcore veteran from a dark fantasy world here, but what if she says she doesn't need help…?*
Unlike the dark fantasy world where returning home was a matter of defeating the final boss, this felt hopelessly vague.
But for Zeke, the option of simply living here had never been on the table.
*Let's just get involved, whatever it is. I'll need to have some stake in this to have a chance of going back.*
The inconvenience of a less-developed life was one thing, but more than anything, in a world where swords, mana, and monsters existed, he couldn't imagine himself suppressing his thirst for battle and living an ordinary life until the end.
And so, Zeke set his goal to return to Earth, no matter what.
*I will, right? I can go back, right? I'd better be able to. Because my heart will hurt a lot if I can't!*
Thanks to Instructor Serena's basic education, he had acquired knowledge of this world's culture and customs.
But he still didn't even know who the main characters were.
He turned his head.
Serena was walking beside him like a stiff wooden doll.
"Serena."
"Y-Yes!"
Serena jumped in surprise when Zeke called her name.
She turned her head as if buffering, then quickly stared straight ahead again.
"You look just like a doll."
"A-A doll!?"
"Are there any students among the new class I should be wary of?"
"Th-That comment about a doll just now, what on earth… Ahem. Ahem! So… people I should be wary of?"
"Yes, from the imperial family, for instance. I don't know which students will be in my class."
Zeke first asked about the imperial family to get information on the 2nd Prince.
The word 'doll' he had used was weighing heavily on Serena's mind, but she decided to answer his question first.
"Umm… Well, the 1st Prince is already a student… The 2nd Prince is enrolling this year. I haven't heard anything about the 3rd Prince."
"I see… What are they like?"
"I met the 1st Prince a few times when we were young. I don't know about now, but… delicate and kind? I suppose that would be the right way to put it. As for the 2nd Prince… rumors say he's a bit on the lively side… proactive, shall we say…"
Serena said cautiously, touching a finger to her lips.
*So the 1st Prince is a decent guy, and the 2nd is a scoundrel. I knew it the moment I read he stalked the heroine. That shady bastard.*
As if Serena's lessons had paid off, Zeke had become somewhat adept at understanding the noble way of speaking.
As a duchess, she couldn't just go around cursing royalty, so she had to speak in such a roundabout way.
It seemed he wouldn't have to worry too much about the 1st Prince.
The problem was the 2nd Prince. The very culprit who, with just three pages of idiotic antics in the novel, had thrown him into this romance fantasy world.
He couldn't be 100% certain just from the description that the 2nd Prince had stalked the heroine.
But among his few memories of the novel, there was a lovey-dovey scene where the male and female leads were flirting at the academy.
So, wouldn't the heroine also be enrolling at the same time as the 2nd Prince?
He had a feeling the heroine would be among this year's freshmen.
*Since the 2nd Prince appeared in a cliché scene like that, he must be a candidate for the male lead. Hmm, should I get him into my class too?*
As he pondered how to handle the scoundrel prince, another scoundrel, one who was practically a staple in the world of romance fantasy, came to mind.
"Ah, then is there a woman like that, too?"
"Yes, a woman… Huh!? A woman…?"
The expression vanished from Serena's face.
Now she had truly become a doll.
Zeke, aware that Serena was not in her right mind today, paid it no heed and continued.
"Yes, for example, someone with a nasty personality, arrogant, someone who's guaranteed to be a pain if you get involved with them. A woman to avoid."
The second person he asked about was the one who would torment and check the protagonist—the villainess.
As someone who had resolved to help the heroine, it was something he naturally had to confirm.
*Of course, there's always the possibility of a 'villainess protagonist' who becomes good after regressing, but if that were the case, rumors would be circulating about her recent change.*
"Really… the etiquette lessons had no effect at all. You refrain from coarse language, yet you don't speak indirectly either…"
Her color returning, Serena glared at Zeke from the side.
Perhaps she should have squeezed in a little more etiquette training after all.
Serena felt a pang of regret. Not that it would have been very effective anyway.
"I am not accustomed to speaking indirectly."
*More accurately, this body isn't.*
"Anyway… umm, there is one person who comes to mind."
"Who is it?"
"She is the daughter of the 'Justia' family, one of the three great ducal houses, like my own."
A ducal family was second in power only to the imperial family.
Zeke was struck anew by how little his walking companion, Serena, cared for authority.
"Her name?"
"Iriel Justia. I heard she's also enrolling this year. Please avoid the redhead, Instructor."
"Understood."
Zeke nodded.
"Ah, we've arrived at the academy!"
Located in the heart of the imperial capital, 'Ramieli,' stood Ramieli Academy.
According to Serena, it was the most important core educational institution in the empire.
All royalty, nobles, families of merit, children of great merchants, and talented commoners.
In other words, the next generation of elites would spend four years here, accumulating knowledge, making connections, and taking the first step in their careers.
It also championed a strict merit-based system, where within the academy walls, there was no distinction between royalty, nobility, or commoners.
So they said, but when had power ever been the type to disappear with a single rule?
In the end, nobles gathered with nobles, and commoners with commoners, forming groups with those of similar status.
In any case, just getting into this place was apparently cause for a town festival, with posters and banners hung at the town entrance.
Listening to Serena's explanation of the academy, a question suddenly occurred to Zeke.
"But, Serena. Why did you have to come here in secret? Isn't it advantageous for all children of noble families to enroll?"
"Ah, for daughters of high-ranking noble families, a marquis or higher, there's another option of a similar standing."
"Another option?"
"Yes, one is to enroll in the academy like this, and the other is to receive bridal training within the family after an engagement. My father wouldn't allow me to join the Knight Division, so…"
"I see. So you were supposed to be engaged."
*Well, it's easier to ask for forgiveness than permission. She's certainly a woman of action.*
Zeke nodded and looked around.
He had to admit he had been underestimating this romance fantasy world.
At Ramieli Academy, various buildings stood like magnificent works of art, centered around the 'Main Hall,' which had a dome-shaped roof like the Berlin Cathedral.
Besides the academic buildings, there was a theater, an equestrian center, a dessert street, a restaurant street, a shopping street, and even a botanical garden for strolls.
Furthermore, most of the surrounding land was owned by the academy, and new facilities were constantly being built for the students' convenience.
Zeke hid his expression of weariness at the ridiculous display of wealth and said to Serena.
"First, I'm going to see the principal."
"Okay! I'll see you at the entrance ceremony later!"
"Right."
* * *
Zeke parted ways with Serena and strode through the doors of the Main Hall.
*Wow, the scale of this place is…*
"Who are you?"
Someone approached and spoke to him. It seemed to be an academy official.
"Zeke Kleiman. I'm here as an instructor for the Knight Division."
"Ah! The one! Yes, I understand. I will guide you to the principal's office."
The official walked ahead, and Zeke followed him up the stairs. The principal's office seemed to be on the highest floor of the Main Hall.
*Knock, knock.*
"Who is it?"
"I've brought Instructor Zeke Kleiman of the swordsmanship department."
"Let him in."
The official opened the door slightly to hold it, and Zeke entered the room alone.
An old man with a full head of white hair sat at a stately desk.
He glared at Zeke with sharp eyes.
For some reason, it felt like he had made a bad first impression.
"Hmph, are you the Zeke Kleiman who was a month late?"
"I am."
"What is your relationship with the Johaiden family?"
"I made their acquaintance on my way to the academy and have been briefly in their care."
*Phew, it's my first interview all over again. I was a little worried I'd say something stupid like 'Yeah,' but thank goodness.*
Zeke was proud of this body for managing to speak politely in front of an elder.
He'd been a little concerned after speaking so bluntly to the academy official earlier, but it seemed the body had its own standards.
At his words, the old man let out a deep sigh.
"Dammit… Why on earth… Who is he… First one, then another, why are the ducal families so… Haaah, what in the world is this man…"
He muttered something while clutching his head, but it was hard to hear.
He scowled and looked up again.
"Then! What is your relationship with the Justia family?!"
"The Justia… family?"
Zeke was taken aback when the name Serena had just mentioned came out of the old man's mouth.
*Ha, don't tell me… the original owner of this body was connected to that family?*
"I have no connection to them."
"Is that so? Then why on earth…"
"I have none."
The principal looked dumbfounded at his words, but Zeke was serious.
He saw no reason to respect whatever life this body's owner had lived before he possessed it.
*Did I ask to be transmigrated into a romance fantasy?*
He had no desire to get entangled in a past he knew nothing about and clean up whatever mess this guy had made.
Of course, he knew that the Justia family was a ducal house.
In other words, a family with considerable power within the empire.
But Zeke was confident.
*Screwing over those who try to manipulate me is easy enough.*
The principal pressed his temples and spoke.
"The young lady of Justia was looking for you."
"I see."
"And you say you have no connection?"
"Yes."
Zeke inferred the situation from the principal's words.
*Did the Justia family order this body's owner to infiltrate the academy as an instructor and help Iriel?*
It seemed he would be facing her sooner rather than later.
This was a romance fantasy world where good and evil were clearly defined.
And she was a character leaning toward the side of evil.
The villainess, Iriel Justia.
The option of approaching her just to gather information briefly crossed his mind, but Zeke shook his head.
*Nothing good would come from siding with them, either.*
Besides, since he didn't know what kind of person the previous owner of this body was, trying to act like he knew her would get him found out quickly.
It would most likely just make her more suspicious.
Zeke decided it would be better to sever any ties with the Justia family.
*They'll react somehow. I can use that to figure out the situation.*
"Can't you people just leave the academy alone?"
"…"
*But I don't think that's something I can do anything about, sir.*
He could roughly understand the principal's position.
As he had learned from Serena's lessons, the three pillars supporting the empire were Johaiden, Justia, and Ira.
A single instructor was now caught between two of those ducal families.
The man was probably afraid the sparks would fly his way.
But Zeke had already put his trust in the Johaiden family—or to be more precise, in Serena Johaiden alone.
*And the heroine? Hmm, I'll put her on hold for now. I'll know when I see her.*
In any case, having gone all-in on Serena Johaiden, trying to play both sides now was a surefire way to crash and burn.
He didn't want to sow anxiety in Serena after having just built up her trust.
*Right, what can they do if I cut ties? I'm riding Serena Johaiden's coattails to the top.*
The Serena he supported and this Iriel were from rival ducal houses.
He'd heard the two were rivals, their factions equally matched.
In that case, what if he threw his support behind Serena?
After running through various simulations, he came to the conclusion that it wouldn't matter.
*I should probably consult Serena about this later.*
Watching him, the principal clicked his tongue.
"Hah… you are… Never mind. Let's not talk about it."
"?"
"That's enough. The entrance ceremony will begin in an hour. You were originally supposed to have duties, but another swordsmanship instructor has taken them over. You will only be introducing your name at the ceremony, so be aware of that."
The principal waved his hand dismissively, looking exhausted.
Somehow, Zeke got the feeling that the principal wasn't as bad a boss as his first impression suggested.
He wasn't expecting much from people anyway, and at this rate, it seemed possible to build a normal professional relationship with a reasonable distance.
*Is he just a tired office worker who has to constantly tiptoe around everyone?*
* * *
"I must have been so weird… right?"
Thinking back on how she had acted in front of him, Serena's face turned beet red.
The image of Zeke kept replaying in her mind.
Serena's thoughts were a jumbled mess.
*Dressing up like that…! And complimenting my clothes, which he never does…! And, um, calling me a doll!! Is that okay? Is it not okay? And yesterday, he even brought me my favorite flowers!*
Jet-black hair like the abyss, an aura as cold as a northern blizzard, eyes as sharp as a sword, a low voice that seemed to resonate in her very soul… and yet, a sliver of warmth within it all…
The descriptions from the novels she had read began to seep into her image of Zeke.
*Hah, hah.*
Serena's breathing grew ragged, and a dangerous glint appeared in her eyes.
This… wasn't this all Instructor Zeke's fault?
It had to be the person who looked at her with such eyes and spoke with such a voice who was in the wrong.
Yes, the instructor was definitely at fault.
Serena pressed her right hand firmly against her chest.
Then, she suddenly remembered that the entrance ceremony was about to begin.
"Gasp! No! That means everyone else will see Instructor Zeke looking like that today. How much time is left?! I need to at least fix my bangs, hurry!"
Her heart racing, she was about to run toward the grand auditorium where the ceremony would be held.
"Zeke?"
Someone behind her responded to her words.
* * *